After all Masses this weekend in the vestibules of both churches

* Rice Bowl packets can be picked up to aid Catholic Relief Services and enhance your Lenten observance
 

* Two petitions to sign

     >  Parental Notification Initiative requiring a doctor to notify parents 48 hours prior to an abortion being performed on their minor daughter, www.caparentalrights.org

     > SAFE California Initiative (SAFE) replacing the use of the death penalty for a capital crime with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, www.safecalifornia.org

The 2nd Annual Social Justice Forum on February 11 at Holy Names University was a big success.  Articles about the workshops will appear in future SJ newsletters.  The topics were

• Restorative Justice for Youth
• Water is Life  
• Military Spending in the Federal Budget
• Tackling Immigration Reform in Your Own Backyard
• Human Trafficking: A Global and Local Perspective
• Housing is a Spiritual and Religious Issue
• Organizing for Social Change
• Organizing to End the Death Penalty in California in 2012
• Helping Young People Find their Moral Voices
• How Faith Communities are Transforming Immigration Policy
• Engaging Youth in Social Justice
• Muslims and Christians Working Together for the Common Good 

Please send your comments about anything related to this newsletter to socialjustice@catholicsofpleasanton.org.

Volunteer and Charitable Giving Opportunities
 

Habitat for Humanity build day, March 3
 

Join fellow CCOP Parishioners re-habing a Habitat for Humanity house in Hayward -- Saturday, March 3 from 8:30 am to 4 pm.  If you missed our last build day--now is your chance to learn a new skill or hone your talents and make a difference in our community!  No special skills are required but participants must be at least 16 years old. For more information and to sign up -- contact Diane Ravnik -- dravnik@gmail.com

 
Oasis of Hope
 

The Oasis of Hope collection is CCOP's specific effort during Lent to provide St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services in Stockton with some of the items that their clients desperately need, but which are rarely donated.  Items such as underwear and socks (sometimes referred to as "white gold" at St. Mary's) blankets, bath towels, coats & jackets and personal hygiene items are in constant demand and short supply. If you see underwear or socks (men's, women's or children's) on sale, it would be very generous of you to buy a package or two for St. Mary's.  Or if you happen to see a blanket, bath towels or a jacket at a garage sale, please keep the needs of St. Mary's clients in mind.
 

During Lent, we will be highlighting the need for certain items each week.  But please feel free to donate any of the items at any time.  They will be greatly appreciated.  Items for donation can be placed in the St. Mary's bin in the lobby of St. Elizabeth Seton or in the garage at St. Augustine's.   The garage doors will be open after the Masses.
 

On the weekend of March 3-4, please consider donating one or more packages of the following:

* Men's underpants [sizes 32-36], undershirts [med, large], socks [8-11 shoe size]
 

* Women's underpants [small, med, large], bras [med, some large], socks [6-8 shoe size]
 

* Children's underpants, boys and girls,[toddler on up], socks, pajamas.
 

On the weekend of March 11-12, please consider donating towels for shower use.
 

On the weekend of March 17-18, please consider donating coats and jackets that are in good condition. Men's, women's and children's jackets are needed, but particularly men's - all sizes. 

On the weekend of March 24-25, please consider donating blankets that are in good condition or items of personal hygiene, such as shampoo, razors, razor blades, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. 
 

Thank you for your continued generosity.
 

Sorting medical supplies at Medshare - March 17
 

Our next volunteer day at MedShare in San Leandro will be Saturday morning, March 17 from 9:00 am until noon.  We will be sorting and preparing shipments of surplus medical supplies for third world medical facilities. There will be room for up to 20 CCOP volunteers, so please let me know if you plan to participate.  We had a good group last time, but could have used a few more.

 
I will contact you again with additional information as the date approaches.
 

We'd love to have a blend of experienced hands and first-timers, so please join us.  Thank you very much.  We appreciate your participation. Mark Nevins, 925-846-1014, menevi@sbcglobal.net.

Special Concern of California Bishops
 

* Why Federal Mandate Still Threatens Religious Liberty
* Urge Congress to Protect Religious Freedom
* California Bishops United in Response to HHS Mandate
* What They Are Saying
 

Special issue of Public Policy Insights: Insights
 
A Message from Bishop Cordileone: Message
  

Action Alerts
 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Several hundred teens have been sentenced to life without parole in California. Under the current law, not one of them will ever have the opportunity to demonstrate that they have turned their lives around and can safely re-enter society. Senate Bill 9 by Senator Yee (D-San Francisco) would set up a strict process for a judge to examine these individuals' lives when they are older and determine if they are rehabilitated and remorseful. If so, they will then have a chance to earn parole after serving a minimum of 25 years. 

When youth commit terrible crimes they should be held accountable, but in a manner that reflects their age and immaturity and their special capacity for rehabilitation. We shouldn't give up on a youngster before he or she ever reaches adulthood. Life without parole ignores the difference between adults and children-- differences we accept as a matter on common sense, and which science fully recognizes. We as Californians should reserve the ability to review whether a person sentenced to life in prison as a child has been rehabilitated, and we should recognize that many youth receiving this sentence were convicted of a murder in which they played a minor role or were influenced by an adult. In either case, both science and common sense tells us that immature teenagers make bad decisions.

SB 9 is sound legislation and recognizes that all young people, even those serving life without parole sentences, have the capacity to change for the better and should have access to the rehabilitative tools to do so. It represents a more humane, sensible and proportionate sentencing approach. It provides the possibility for a reasonable review of their sentence and is NOT a guarantee of release. It also saves money. Every youth with a life without parole sentence costs the state nearly $40,000 per year of incarceration.

SB 9 is currently on the Assembly floor and will be taken up for a vote soon. That is why we need you to "Take Action." Please contact your Assembly Member and ask them to vote "yes" on SB 9, to give youth the possibility of a second chance.

Send message

Network, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
  

Protect Women (and Men) Victims of Violence
 

Re-authorize the Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011 (VAWA) (S.1925) awaits action in the Senate. Tell your Senators to bring the bill to the floor, and vote to pass it.

There are many improvements to VAWA through this reauthorization which expands services and protections to women in Indian tribal nations, to abused men, and through grants to campuses

Take action!

See article, "Volunteer and Charitable Giving Opportunities"

http://www.pleasantonians4peace.org/ 

Meet in front of Pleasanton Museum, 603 Main Street, Pleasanton

See article, "Volunteer and Charitable Giving Opportunities"